Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-01-20

to interject question or a favorable com
ment He was as little critical as ardent
young mon are apt TO be of the statements Of
captivating young wornen, and Rachels
spirits rose as she saw TINT the worst she had
TO fear from this enemy was an excess of de-
votion. The story of her aunt at Murfrees-
boro received unhesitating acceptance, and
nothing but imperative scouting orders pre-
vented his escorting her TO the town. He
would, however, send a noIi-comnissioned
officer with her, who would see that she was
not molested by any one. He requested per
mission to call upon her at her aunt's, which
Rachel was compelled to grant for laclS of
any ready excuse for such a contingency.
With this, and many smiles and bows, they
parted.
All the afternoon she rode through camps
of men in gray and butternut, as she had
ridden through those of men in blue in the
morning. In these, as in the others, she
heard gay songs, dance music and laughter,
and saw thousands of merry boys rollicking
in the sunshine at games of bali and other
sports, with the joyous earnestness of a
school house playground. She tried, but in
vain, to realize that in in a few days these
thoughtless youths would be the demons Of
the battlefield.
Just before dusk she came to the top of a
low limestone ridge, and saw, three miles
away, the lights of Murfreesboro. At that
moment Fortner appeared, jogging leisurely
toward her, mounted ON a splendid horse.
ooh, there's my Cousin JIM" she exclaimed
gleefully, "coming TO meet Inc. Sergeant,
am deeply obliged TO you and to your lieuten-
ant for your company, and | will try to show
my appreciation Of it in the future in some
way moro substantial than words You need
not go any farther with me. ! know that
both you and your horse are very tired.
Good-by'
The sergeant Yves only too glad Of this re-
lease, which gave him an opportunity to get
back to camp, TO enjoy some good cheer that
he knew was there, and bidding a hasty good
night, he left at a trot.
Fortner and Rachel rode on slowly up the
pike, traversing the ground that was soon 10
run red with the blood of thousands.
They talked of the fearful probabilities Of
the next few days and halted for some min
utes on the bridge acf3ss Stone river, to study
the wonderfully picturesque scene spread out
before them.
Shortly after crossing the river they passed
large tent, with number Of others clus-
tered around it. All were festooned with
Confederate flags and brilliantly lighted. \
band came up in front of the principal one
and played the Bonnie Blue Flag
THAT'S ole Ginera' Bragg's headquarters"
said Fortner. "Hes the king bee of all the
Confederates in these heah parts, an they
think he kin bout make the sun stand still ef
he wants ter, :"
They cantered on into the town, and going
more slowly through the great public square
and the mere crowded streets, came at last to
modest house. standing on corner, and
nearly hidden by vines and shrubbery.
A peculiar knock caused the door to open
quickly, and before Rachel was hardly aware
Of it, she was standing inside a comfortable
room, 50 well lighted that her eyes took some
little time to get used to such a change. Is
When they did SO she saw that she was in
the presence of a slender, elderly woman,
whose face charmed her, ~
"This is yer Aunt Debby BRIL- said Fort
ner, dryly, "who yc came SO fur fur tcr sec.
am who's bin 'spcctin ye quito anxiousIy.7
"Ye're very welcome, my dear" said Aunt
Debby after moments inspection, which
seemed to be entirely satisfactory jest lay
Off yer things thar on the bed an come out
ter supper | know ye're sharp set. A ride
from Nashville sec&a day ez this is monty
i5DpA AoI luc uplFtibt' tsit nc w ueu SiiliNi
waitin yen
Hastily throwing Off her hat and gloves she
sat down with the rest to homey hut excel
lent Csupper, which they all ate in silence.
During the meal muscular, well knit man
OF so entered.
"All clar outside, Biil!" asked fortner.
Gan clar, )" replied the man. "Everybody's
off on high q some kind
Bill sat down and ate with the rest, until
he satisfied his hunger, and then rising he felt
along the hewed logs which formed the walls
until he found a splinter to serve rs a tooth
pick Using this for u minute iaJastrnusly
he throw it into the fire and aase,l
"WcI"
~Woll. answered Fortner = rs,i,on hit's
ez sartin cz anything lin wen be that
Wheeler's and Morgans cavalry hez been
sent Off inter Kentucky, and ez thets what
Ole Rosy's been wuitin' fur, now's the time
fur him ter put in his best licks. Ye'd better
start afore midnight fur Nashville Yelihev
this news, an also tibet thars been 10 change
in the location o the Confederates, 'cept thet
Folks an Kirby Smiths corps are both heah
at Murfreesboro, with a strong brigade at
Stewards creek, an another at Laycrgne.
Yed better fall in with Boscall's rijiment,
whieh'll 60 ont ter Lavergpe tonight ter re-
lieve one 9 the rijiments thar. Yed better
not try to git back heah agin tell arter the
battle Good-by. God bless We. Miss, ye'd
better git ter bed now ez soon ez possible, an
rest yerself fur what's comm Wen need
every mite an grain of our strength"